Official Luthiers Forum!

Hi Guys, looking for some advice.

I've got a player who is breaking a lot of strings (D and G) on his Cole Clark acoustic while playing gigs with a duo.
They are always breaking at the saddle.

I have smoothed the saddle, the break angle is not excessive.
12-53 d'Addarios both coated and plain

He thinks there is a problem with the guitar, I am inclined to think he is just playing a lot harder in the duo situation.

Any suggestions, is going to mediums worth exploring?

Has he tried a different brand of strings?

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

NOT the Guitar. If the saddle is smooth and break angle fine it's either the strings or the Player. Assuming he isn't playing at above 440 Hz and/or ridiculous string length. Logically there's nothing else to blame! He could try a different type/make of string. That would seem the next sensible move.

Tell him to try a lighter gauge pick. Sounds like player issues to me. Is he doing the Townsend windmill or something?

I had some weird breakage with a few sets of d'Addario. D and G strings also, but on the tuner posts. Maybe we just got a faulty batch of steel. I broke 2 sets on a string up, and the 3rd has held fine for 9 months.

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Jason Moe
LaCrosse WI 54601

My friend had a 000-15 that would constantly break the high E at the tuner post. There was a sharp edge on the tuner hole that was breaking the string after about 5 minutes of playing. He took it back to the store he purchased it at and they swapped out the tuner and he has been fine since. This does not help the OP, but it might be an issue for you Jason.

For the OP, maybe the distance between the string hole and the saddle is at the right distance such that the winding at the ball end is causing the problem. If the string is bending right where the doubled section ends, it is possible that is what is causing the breakage. This is just a thought since I have not seen the broken strings, but it is a possibility.

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http://www.CostaGuitars.com
PMoMC

Turn out he was using a 2mm pick and playing as hard as that allowed.
A softer pick and more restraint seem to have fixed the problem

That was going to be my next suggestion.

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http://www.CostaGuitars.com
PMoMC

How dare some musician tell you how he should play his guitar!

Todd, it sounds like you are a true gentleman.
I would have hit him with a rolled up newspaper and yelled "NO!"
And them rubbed his face into the splinters.
Not really, but I would be thinking of doing it.

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